…learn moreSina and TinilauWritten by Vilsoni HerenikoIllustrated by Jasper SchreursPublisher Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies, University of South Pacific in association with the Fiji Writers’ Association, 1997

Activity for ‘Fishing with Spider Webs’

Fishing with Spider Webs

by Lino Nelisi

New Zealand born Aiani is ten when her family travel home to Niue for the first time. Uncle Tuki shows Aiani how to catch fish using spider webs on the end of a fishing line. Aiani is thrilled when they catch many fish to enjoy for tea! This book was nominated because it captures something of the culture of the Pacific. It was also a finalist in the 1995 Children’s Book Awards.

Please note that these activities are suggestions which have not yet been trialled. We welcome any feedback on how they play out in the classroom (see the feedback section).

Activity: INSTRUCTIONAL WRITING: How to catch a fish using spider webs (English)

Curriculum Level

1 & 2(see curriculum links at the end of the activity)

NZC Key Competencies

thinking

using language, symbols and text

relating to others

managing self

participating and contributing

Description

In this story, Uncle Tuki teaches Aiani how to catch a fish using spider webs. Children could use this as a starting point for instructional writing.1. Read and enjoy the story.2. After reading, look back through the illustrations and ask children to notice how Aiani and Uncle Tuki catch their fish. Talk about it with a partner.

3. Tell the children that you want them to use the story to write some ‘instructions’ for how to catch a fish using spider webs.

At Level 1, this could be done as a whole class.

At Level 2, this could be done independently, or in pairs or small groups.

4. Spend some time talking about what ‘instructional writing’ looks like.

It would be useful to have some examples on hand to show the students, such as recipes, or furniture assembly instructions.

Show students how they can use numbers to order the instructions.

Then have a go at writing their own instructions for how to catch a fish using spider webs.

As a follow up, students could independently have a go at writing some instructions for how to catch a coconut crab without being bitten. We are not told how in the story, but they could certainly use their imaginations for this one!

Materials

paper

pens, pencils, felts etc

Curriculum Links

English Listening, Reading and Viewing

recognise that texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences (Level 1)

recognise and identify ideas within and across texts (Level 1)

recognise and begin to understand how language features are used for effect within and across texts (Level 1)

recognise and begin to understand text structures (Level 1)

show some understanding of how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences (Level 2)

show some understanding of how language features are used for effect within and across texts (Level 2)

show some understanding of ideas within, across and beyond texts (Level 2)

show some understanding of text structures (Level 2)

Speaking, Writing and Presenting

recognise how to shape texts for a purpose and an audience (Level 1)

form and express ideas on a range of topics (Level 1)

use language features, showing some recognition of their effects (Level 1)

organise texts, using simple structures (Level 1)

show some understanding of how to shape texts for different purposes and audiences (Level 2)

select, form and express ideas on a range of topics (Level 2)

use language features appropriately, showing some understanding of their effects (Level 2)

organise texts, using a range of structures (Level 2)

Other Ideas

Investigate different forms of fishing from around the world (Social Sciences)